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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges scored 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 win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down several times during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental belt.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.