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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.