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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a split decision in a close 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was met by negative reactions from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, 31, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match

His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who operated with a tight guard to edge the more effective stanzas.

The spectators' acceptance wore thin amid constant clinching, with Parker going down multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were hard to judge. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium grew hushed for a extremely emotional memorial prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the urban center since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet gave way to a roar of "there's just one Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the eight count.

But the red-colored equipment of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was injured early, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the duo traded punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with official scores of even score, narrow lead and clearer margin, but the two athletes were persistent and brave, all the qualities their inspiration the legend embodied.