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British light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the contest.

Two judges scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They prevail," the victor commented in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Win in Dull Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

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

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Manchester Derby Fight

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

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who succumbed 46 years old in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime disappeared, the silence transitioned to a roar of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling developing under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.