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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision 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 didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the continental championship.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.