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UK light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming debut to his career under new promoters with a decision win over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a majority decision in a close ten-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker found success, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the contest.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best showing but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

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

Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Slow Match

His career development has slowed in recent times through management issues and extended periods of inactivity.

Once tipped as the next star of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was participating in his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, making life awkward for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a terrific local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight championship.

The venue grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage before the fight as 10 bells sounded in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died at age 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the last bell disappeared, the silence became a chant of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon advanced again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the decision with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol the legend stood for.