British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.
