British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
