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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks 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 participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.