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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.