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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

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

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the fighters landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their hero Hatton represented.