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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few 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 in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the continental championship.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.