UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.
The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".
The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.
