British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming 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 tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
