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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

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

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.