British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
