British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent times 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 seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.
