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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down various instances during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their idol the legend embodied.