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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the continental belt.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.