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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their hero the legend represented.