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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.