UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
