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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The officials had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.