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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

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

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and brave, everything their idol the legend stood for.