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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

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

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.