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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

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

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.