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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Earns Win in Dull Affair

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their hero the legend embodied.