British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
