UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
