British 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 punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
