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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Match

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

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

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.