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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental title.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend represented.