UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the continental championship.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.
