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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the British boxer suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton represented.