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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising forming under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.