British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.
