UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
