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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better periods.

The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.