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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

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

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to capture the continental belt.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.