UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.
The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.
The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Match
Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.
He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".
The action during the bout 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 eight count.
But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
