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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet disappointing beginning to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger found success, delivering effective single shots in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt Parker, 31, should have been awarded the decision but the British boxer suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent years through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was competing in only his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the better stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker going down several times during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a excellent all-Manchester contest to win the continental title.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the face in the second round, standing uncertainly to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising developing under his face as the fighters exchanged powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with scoring tallies of draw, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton represented.