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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter 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, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Win in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, 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 made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged hard punches.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were determined and full of heart, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.