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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut 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 ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.