British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
