UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.
The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
