UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.
