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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.