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

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

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

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

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol the legend stood for.