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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos 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 earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the continental championship.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.