UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
