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British light heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet underwhelming start to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective individual punches in a fight where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The officials judged it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my greatest display but how do champions respond? They succeed," Buatsi said in the arena as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Several boxing experts thought Parker, 31, merited the win but the contender suffered the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Once tipped as the future of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a tentative initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience wore thin because of regular grabbing, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - working with the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of hard hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Tribute Inspires Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by close verdict in a outstanding local rivalry contest to capture the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving tribute ahead of the contest as 10 bells tolled in memory of the city's native Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the city since Hatton's death. As the final chime faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes matched the feeling. Arthur was floored by a left hook flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with powerful upward punches as the intensity hardly diminished over twelve rounds.

Arthur barely secured the result with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, everything their idol Hatton stood for.