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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.