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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut 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 split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their hero the legend embodied.