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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their idol the legend represented.