UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.
