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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under recent management with a points victory over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round contest at the boxing arena.

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

Two judges judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what defines champions? They succeed," Buatsi commented in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer endured the second defeat of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Victory in Uneventful Affair

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a calculated opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second bout at light-heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to edge the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor several times during grappling.

Parker ended stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

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

Ricky Hatton Memorial Fuels Local Rivalry Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a outstanding local rivalry contest to win the continental belt.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial before the fight as ten bells rang in honor of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the final chime ended, the silence became a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a left hook directly to the face in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of Arthur soon advanced again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up quickly, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor narrowly won the verdict with official scores of 114-114, 115-113 and clearer margin, but both fighters were determined and courageous, everything their inspiration the legend stood for.