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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Secures Victory in Dull Match

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

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

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

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester battle to win the European light heavyweight championship.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged early, significant bruising forming under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.