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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing debut to life under new promoters 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 competitive ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the techniques failed to mesh, with excessive holding disrupting the fight.

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a even score.

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

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, should have been awarded the decision but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

Buatsi Secures Win in Uneventful Match

His career development has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with the two boxers willing to overcommit in a cagey initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to narrowly win the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger going down multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of power puncher Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester fight to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in September.

It was the premier televised match card in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The fighting within the ring matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up quickly, noticeable damage appearing under his face as the duo landed punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the result with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and courageous, all the qualities their idol the legend represented.