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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.