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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their hero the legend represented.