UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management 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 tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their hero the legend stood for.
