British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
