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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

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

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ring as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors ready to overcommit in a tentative early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who worked behind a protective stance to barely take the better periods.

The crowd's patience decreased because of regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Manchester Derby Contest

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to win the European light-heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, exactly what their hero Hatton represented.