British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented 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 February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
