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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, everything their hero the legend represented.