UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
