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

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Encounter

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

Earlier forecast as the rising talent 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 recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton embodied.