British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton embodied.
