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

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

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

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.