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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.