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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match

His career development has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.