British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters 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 tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the continental belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
