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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

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

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

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Encounter

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance 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 falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

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

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow directly to the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, exactly what their hero Hatton stood for.