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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness gave way to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.