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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased amid regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the emotion. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend embodied.