UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
