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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.