British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
