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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

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

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

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

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.