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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive 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 during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.