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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.