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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 medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

Two judges 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 prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback 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 halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.