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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match

His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook directly to the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their idol the legend represented.