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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.