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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.