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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

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

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

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

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.