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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the action.

The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but what defines champions? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, heavy swelling appearing under his eye as the pair traded powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with scoring tallies of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.