UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair
His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
