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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

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

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Earns Win in Slow Affair

His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.