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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the crowd.

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

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

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

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.