British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.
