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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to life under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

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

But the challenger landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my best display but how do champions respond? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Secures Win in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - possibly in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had made it competitive, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience diminished amid regular grabbing, with Parker falling to the floor various instances during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just one round.

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

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester contest to secure the European light-heavyweight championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant tribute prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised boxing event in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the quiet became a chant of "only one Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the chin in the initial stage, rising shakily to his footing on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged soon, noticeable damage forming under his face as the pair landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with effective uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur barely secured the verdict with official scores of draw, 115-113 and wider gap, but the two athletes were determined and brave, everything their inspiration Hatton represented.