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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

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

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.