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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their idol the legend represented.