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

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.