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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

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

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Dull Match

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

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend represented.