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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.