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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.