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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.