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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in 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 edge the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.