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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management 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 tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

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

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter

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

Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.