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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend represented.