British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
