UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
