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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Contest

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

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.