British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight 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 middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their hero Hatton embodied.
