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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton embodied.