UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.
Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Match
The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.
The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance 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 quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.
But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend represented.
