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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

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

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

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Win in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

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 made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.