UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the continental title.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
