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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased amid constant clinching, with Parker going down various instances during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight title.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the silence transitioned to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage appearing under his eye as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend represented.