British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better periods.
The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.
