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

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

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

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

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

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.