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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.