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

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.