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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.