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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the crowd.

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

Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.