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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with constant grabbing disrupting the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor stated in the ringside as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his first professional defeat - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through management issues and considerable time of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers prepared to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, the underdog had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a outstanding Manchester vs Manchester fight to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant homage before the fight as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who died 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness transitioned to a shout of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch squarely on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was injured early, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and courageous, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.