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

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to edge the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell ended, the stillness became a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling forming under his eye as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.