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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

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

Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Match

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.