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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

His career development has stalled in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to secure the continental championship.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.