UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.
Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.
The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.
The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Encounter
The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.
He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.
The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle
In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the continental title.
The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.
It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".
The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.
But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair traded hard punches.
Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.
The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
