UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter
His career development has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better periods.
The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.
The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.
Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.
