British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.
