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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.