UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton represented.
