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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton stood for.