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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.

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

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.