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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Earns Win in Slow Match

His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

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

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.