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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the continental title.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.