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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.