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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.