UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
