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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the continental championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton embodied.