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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, delivering effective clean blows in a fight where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the crowd.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with Callum Smith in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Various analysts felt the challenger, 31, deserved the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Match

His career development has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

Parker, whose sole prior loss came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had kept it close, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to narrowly win the better periods.

The audience's tolerance wore thin during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Fuels Manchester Derby Fight

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding local rivalry fight to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage ahead of the contest as 10 bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a left hook squarely on the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the red-colored shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, heavy swelling appearing under his face as the fighters traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, close margin and wider gap, but both fighters were determined and brave, all the qualities their hero the legend represented.