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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the continental championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton represented.