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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Dull Affair

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

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

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

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The arena became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness gave way to a chant of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage appearing under his orbital area as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.