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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

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

But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

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

Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.