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

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight

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

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.