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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Affair

His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

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

The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Motivates Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental title.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured early, heavy swelling developing under his face as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.