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

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.