UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.
