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

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

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

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Earns Win in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry battle to capture the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, everything their hero the legend stood for.