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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their hero the legend represented.