UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
