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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Match

His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to capture the continental title.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the jaw in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.