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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the continental championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.