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British light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Affair

His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the continental title.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.