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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match

His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.