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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Dull Match

His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their hero the legend stood for.