British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive 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 split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their idol Hatton represented.
