UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the continental belt.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, everything their hero the legend stood for.
