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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the better periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.