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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match

His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend represented.