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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.