UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
