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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Match

His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the continental title.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.