Buatsi’s progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise – perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice – under new promotional backing.
He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.
Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.
The crowd’s patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.
Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton – commentating on Dazn – had it particularly wide in favour of Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.
Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory – on this evidence – still looks steep.