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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

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

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet became a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, everything their idol Hatton represented.