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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Encounter

His career development has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to secure the continental championship.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.