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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing start to his career under new promoters with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a match where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor said in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through management issues and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

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

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

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet gave way to a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their idol the legend represented.