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

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.