British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
