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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive 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 breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.