British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Match
His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just 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 tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.
