British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.
The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.
But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.
Two judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.
"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with 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 secure a twentieth professional win.
Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, merited the win but the British boxer experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.
Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Encounter
Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.
Earlier forecast as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.
He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.
The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.
By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective periods.
The audience's tolerance wore thin because of frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.
Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.
The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.
Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight
In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.
The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.
It was the first major televised fight night in the location since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".
The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.
But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the pair landed hard punches.
The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.
The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.
