British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
