British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Affair
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback 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, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.
The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
