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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match

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

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

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

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their hero Hatton stood for.