Lackluster Buatsi Beats Zach Parker in Manchester Bout

British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match

His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental title.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.