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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental belt.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.