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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

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

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Match

His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton represented.