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

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

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

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.