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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to life under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the continental title.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the quiet became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.