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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

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

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

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.