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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Affair

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

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

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their idol Hatton stood for.