British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur edged the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
