British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.
