UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.
The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.
