British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
