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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Encounter

His career development has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.