British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
