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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Encounter

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

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to secure the continental championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The action during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend represented.