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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the continental title.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their hero Hatton represented.