UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
