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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a majority decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a contest where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

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

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the win but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin during constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a left hook directly to the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.