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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the continental championship.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their hero Hatton represented.