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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent times through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.