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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

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

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.