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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, 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 fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

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

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.