UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback 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 light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
