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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the action.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ringside as he was faced boos from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK 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 started carefully, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a calculated early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to edge the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific all-Manchester battle to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.