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

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

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

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to win the continental championship.

The arena became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the stillness gave way to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.