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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a tight ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a match where the styles never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph 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 next star of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in two years ago after breaking his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.

The crowd's patience decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional tribute before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in memory of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell ended, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the emotion. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton represented.