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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

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

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter

His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the early 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 damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.