Disappointing Joshua Buatsi Defeats Parker in Manchester Bout

British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Win in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has slowed in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental title.

The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling developing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.