UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
