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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.