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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the action.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the continental title.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.