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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.