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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

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

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

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

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.