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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

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

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.