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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

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

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair traded hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton represented.