British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
