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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

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

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton represented.