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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class 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 middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol the legend represented.