British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
