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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental title.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.