British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
