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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.