UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the continental belt.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
