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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased during frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.