British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life 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 split decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
