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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to capture the continental title.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.