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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Match

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, 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 neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

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

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.