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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.