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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Match

His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker going down several times during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their hero Hatton represented.