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

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the approaches didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

The officials scored it 96-94 for to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

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

The Londoner got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Victory in Dull Affair

His career development has stalled in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of frequent holding, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur overcame Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but the two athletes were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton stood for.