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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

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

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Affair

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

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with both competitors willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a protective stance to narrowly win the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker going down several times during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental belt.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised fight night in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in competitive blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, everything their idol the legend stood for.