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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Affair

His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.