UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented 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 thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
