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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a split decision in a close ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a match where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching spoiling the fight.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They succeed," the victor commented in the arena as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Several boxing experts believed the challenger, 31, should have been awarded the win but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner periods.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it strongly leaning for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Rea by split-decision in a terrific local rivalry fight to capture the European light-heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in honor of the city's native Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in September.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow squarely on the chin in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo exchanged hard punches.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the decision with scoring tallies of even score, 115-113 and 115-112, but each competitor were relentless and courageous, all the qualities their idol Hatton stood for.