British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
