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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the action.

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

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

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to edge the better periods.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.