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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, 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 suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.