UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Affair
His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.
The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
