UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
