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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend represented.