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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.