British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Match
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
