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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a judges' verdict in a tight 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was faced boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

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

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased during frequent holding, with Parker going down multiple occasions during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the silence transitioned to a chant of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in competitive blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling forming under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.