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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, 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 appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.