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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Slow Affair

His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

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

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.