British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
