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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.