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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

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

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with excessive holding marring the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They prevail," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to take risks in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.