British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
