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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory 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 activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.