UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.
