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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair

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

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

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

The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.