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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Affair

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

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the continental belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.