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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The crowd's patience wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their idol Hatton embodied.