UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.
But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.
Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.
"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the audience.
The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.
Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-match career.
Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.
Once tipped as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a calculated initial rounds.
The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at light heavyweight.
By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the cleaner rounds.
The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.
The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.
Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental title.
The venue became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.
It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The competition inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.
But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising appearing under his face as the duo landed powerful shots.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over twelve rounds.
The victor narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.
