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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming beginning to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a match where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the contender endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Win in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the continental title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up early, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, exactly what their inspiration the legend embodied.