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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing beginning to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing spoiling the contest.

The officials had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the Derbyshire fighter experienced the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was participating in his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the more effective periods.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid frequent holding, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

Parker closed well, but many rounds were hard to judge. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving homage prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the second round, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage forming under his eye as the pair landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton stood for.