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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star 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 prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight

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

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.