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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter

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

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.