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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

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

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.