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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

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

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.