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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Encounter

His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.