UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.
