UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
