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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion 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 Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.