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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Match

His career development has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the continental championship.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.