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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, 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 appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.