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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

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

But Parker landed significant shots, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the styles didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching disrupting the action.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ring as he was met by negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender experienced the second setback of his 28-bout career.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Slow Encounter

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

Earlier forecast as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter prepared to take risks in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to narrowly win the better rounds.

The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry fight to capture the continental belt.

The venue grew hushed for a deeply poignant tribute ahead of the contest as a bell ceremony sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the stillness became a roar of "only one Hatton".

The action during the bout matched the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the red-colored shorts of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his orbital area as the pair traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the verdict with official scores of 114-114, narrow lead and clearer margin, but each competitor were determined and courageous, all the qualities their inspiration the legend represented.