UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
