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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.