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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

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

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Slow Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

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

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.