UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.
But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.
The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.
The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.
Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.
The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Affair
The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.
The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest
In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.
The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.
It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.
But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.
The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.
Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.
