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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental belt.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend represented.