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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.