British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.
