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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the continental title.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.