British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
