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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.