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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.

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

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the continental belt.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend represented.