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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

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

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

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

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey 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 bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.