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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a decision win 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 fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

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

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Earns Win in Slow Encounter

His career development has slowed in the past few years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers prepared to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance diminished during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as 10 bells tolled in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the final chime ended, the stillness became a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, heavy swelling forming under his face as the pair traded punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur narrowly won the result with judges scorecards of 114-114, narrow lead and wider gap, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.