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

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

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

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.