British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter
His career development has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.
