UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.
