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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

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 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.