UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their hero the legend embodied.
