UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.
