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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet disappointing start to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision 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 fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

Two judges had it 96-94 to the winner, with the remaining official a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but how do champions respond? They win," Buatsi commented in the arena as he was greeted with negative reactions from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Dull Encounter

His career development has slowed in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under fresh management.

He began cautiously, with both competitors ready to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a solid defense to narrowly win the cleaner rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased because of regular grabbing, with the challenger slipping to the canvas various instances during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry contest to win the European light-heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional tribute prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in remembrance of Manchester's own Ricky Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised fight night in the city since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The competition inside the ropes reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch directly to the face in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the eight count.

But the red-colored attire of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, Rea - in opposing blue - was marked up early, noticeable damage forming under his face as the fighters traded punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor narrowly won the decision with judges scorecards of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend stood for.