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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Match

His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend represented.