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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.