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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.