UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Win in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.
The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.
