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

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Encounter

His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.