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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.