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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, everything their idol the legend embodied.