British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
