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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 the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair

His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to win the continental championship.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell faded, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, everything their idol Hatton represented.