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UK light heavyweight Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

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

The officials scored it 96-94 to the winner, with the third a even score.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They win," the victor stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the win but the contender experienced the second loss of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Earns Victory in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has stalled in recent years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now is positioned trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

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

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was competing in only his second appearance at the higher weight class.

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

The crowd's patience diminished during regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion Carl Frampton - working with Dazn - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - on this evidence - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Fuels Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial before the fight as ten bells sounded in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the stillness transitioned to a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. Arthur was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the chin in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the eight count.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising developing under his eye as the fighters traded hard punches.

The challenger, 27, landed power punches but the champion, 34, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over 12 rounds.

The victor barely secured the verdict with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol the legend embodied.