British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
