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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.