UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters 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 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
