British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
