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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

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

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Match

His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo landed powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.