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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.