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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match

His career development has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the continental title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo traded hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and brave, everything their idol Hatton stood for.