UK 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 activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
