UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend represented.
