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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.