British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the continental title.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton represented.
