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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their hero the legend stood for.