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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Win in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their hero Hatton stood for.