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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

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

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and brave, everything their idol Hatton represented.