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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Encounter

His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to edge the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the continental title.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their hero Hatton represented.