British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
