British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter
The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight belt.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.
