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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a tentative 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 in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol the legend represented.