UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
