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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.