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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

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

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.