British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton stood for.
