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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.