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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.