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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the continental championship.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.