British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the continental belt.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
