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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Earns Win in Slow Encounter

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

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

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their idol Hatton embodied.