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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.