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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

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

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.