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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Earns Win in Slow Encounter

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.