British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
