UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.
