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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

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

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

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.