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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Match

His career development has stalled in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.