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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.

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

Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.