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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair

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

Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury 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 operated with a tight guard to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.