British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.
