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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut 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 majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.