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British light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their inspiration the legend represented.