UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the continental belt.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
