UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.
The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair
His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.
The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.
Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.
Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their hero the legend represented.
