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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.