British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton embodied.
