UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the continental championship.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
