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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair

His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, everything their idol Hatton stood for.