UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.
Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.
Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair
His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.
Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the continental belt.
The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.
