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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

The officials had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.