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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.

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

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.

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

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.