UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.
The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.
"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.
Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the continental title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their hero Hatton stood for.
