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

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers thought Parker, 31, deserved the victory but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-fight career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished during constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi advances, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester contest to secure the continental belt.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the silence gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow flush on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.