British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Match
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to win the continental belt.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
