UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Match
His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the continental title.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend represented.
