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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.