British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.
But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.
Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.
