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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the continental championship.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.