UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive 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 likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
