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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair

His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.