British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.
