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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.