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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

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

The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.