British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Match
His career development has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.
