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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.