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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the duo landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton embodied.