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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

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

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo exchanged hard punches.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their idol the legend stood for.