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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.