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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a split decision in a tight ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.