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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.