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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

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

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.