UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
