British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
