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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the continental championship.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.