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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

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

Various analysts felt Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.