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

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

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

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Match

His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.