UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Win in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
