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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

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

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Match

His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.