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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend represented.