British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.
The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Affair
Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.
It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.
