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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

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

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the continental title.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.