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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the continental belt.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.