British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.
