British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.
