UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Affair
His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.
