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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.