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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

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

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter ready to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.