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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Affair

His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.