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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the better periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring reflected the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration Hatton stood for.