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

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the continental belt.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.