UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
