UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better periods.
The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during clinches.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to win the continental belt.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
