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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.