British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.
