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

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

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

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.