UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
