British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Match
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.
