British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat 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 light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their hero the legend stood for.
