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

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.