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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.