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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

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

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.