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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Match

His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better periods.

The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.