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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

Parker 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, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester contest to secure the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their hero Hatton embodied.