British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.
But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.
Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.
The Champion Earns Win in Slow Match
His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.
The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".
The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.
The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.
