UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
