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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive 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 judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star 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 new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, 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 tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.