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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the silence became a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.