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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

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

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the continental championship.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with official scores of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.