UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
