UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
