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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.