British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
