British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, everything their idol Hatton represented.
