UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor 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 seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.
