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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Encounter

The fighter's advancement has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to take risks 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 bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling developing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend stood for.