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British light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Affair

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

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

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

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial prior to the bout as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the face in the early round, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.