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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

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

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.