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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.

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

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter

His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

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

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

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

The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.