UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental title.
The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
