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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

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

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to win the continental belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.