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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

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

Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Dull Affair

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

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared 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 breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.