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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Match

His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

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

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.