UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
