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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.