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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

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

The action during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their idol the legend represented.