British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their hero the legend represented.
