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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.