British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career 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 competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British 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 the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
