British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes 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 Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.
