UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
