UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey initial 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 making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
