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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the approaches never quite clicked, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest display but how do champions respond? They win," the victor said in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to be aggressive in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was participating in his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Nevertheless, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The venue became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in remembrance of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the early round, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the fighters landed hard punches.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton represented.