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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 punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.