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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend embodied.