UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
