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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

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

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and brave, everything their idol Hatton embodied.