British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos 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.
Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.
He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.
The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.
