British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the continental championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
