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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend represented.