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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.