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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.