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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with frequent clinching disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss 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 middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the fighters traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and brave, everything their idol the legend stood for.