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

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

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

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Encounter

His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their idol the legend represented.