British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.
