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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.