UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.
