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

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.