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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.