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

The Olympic medal winner's activity level likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger found success, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Secures Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the red-colored equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured quickly, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.