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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

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

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

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Affair

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

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the continental belt.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend embodied.