UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the continental championship.
The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
