UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
