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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.