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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.