UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.
Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
