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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

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

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to win the continental championship.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.