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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

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

Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.