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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life 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 competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.