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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.