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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

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

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

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

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.