UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
