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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with official scores of even score, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their idol Hatton stood for.