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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the approaches didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the action.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through management issues and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a cagey initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the pair exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.