British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better rounds.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.
