UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
