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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.