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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells sounded in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.