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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

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

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.