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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

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

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

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

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the continental belt.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.