British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the better periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.
