UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton represented.
