British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
