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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

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

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental championship.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.