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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor commented in the ringside as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Victory in Uneventful Affair

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

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was participating in his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to edge the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry fight to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium grew hushed for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as ten bells sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.