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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.