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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, everything their hero the legend embodied.