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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by boos from the crowd.

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

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

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

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.