UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Parker in the Manchester arena.
The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the action.
The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.
"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.
The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.
He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey early stages.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.
The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.
Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.
Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.
The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.
It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".
The fighting within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.
But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.
The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.
The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration Hatton stood for.
