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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.

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

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.