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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Earns Win in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their hero Hatton represented.