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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

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 cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.