British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the continental championship.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.
