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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a split decision in a close 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling single shots in a match where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the contest.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by boos from the crowd.

The Londoner bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-fight professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what appears to be a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to take risks in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry battle to win the European light heavyweight title.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook flush on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in opposing blue - was injured soon, heavy swelling forming under his face as the duo exchanged powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the decision with official scores of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration the legend represented.