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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend represented.