UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
