British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start 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 tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
