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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.