UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
