UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
