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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.