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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

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

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the continental championship.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.