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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated 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, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.