UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.
Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Encounter
His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".
The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.
Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and brave, everything their idol the legend represented.
