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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Dull Match

His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.