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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental title.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.