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

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Co-op Live Arena.

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 action.

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

"It wasn't my best display but what defines champions? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, 31, merited the decision but the British boxer endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter

Buatsi's progress has slowed in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what appears to be a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback 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 the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had kept it close, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased during frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a profoundly moving memorial before the fight as ten bells tolled in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the final chime faded, the silence became a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the pair exchanged hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor narrowly won the result with official scores of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.