UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
