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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the continental title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, everything their idol the legend stood for.