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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my best performance but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor said in the ring as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, merited the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Uneventful Match

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

Once tipped as the next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to edge the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime ended, the silence became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with official scores of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.