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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Earns Win in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.