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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.