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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive beginning to life under new promoters 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 tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the better periods.

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

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.