British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Affair
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
