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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental championship.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.