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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental belt.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.