British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
