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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the continental belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton embodied.