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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

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 pro success.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair

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

Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.