UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
