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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has stalled in recent years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.