UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
