British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective rounds.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.
Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight belt.
The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
