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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

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

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter

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

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton embodied.