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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental belt.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.