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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.