UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the continental belt.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
