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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing start to his career under recent management with a decision win over Zach Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output seemingly secured him a split decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective single shots in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with constant grabbing spoiling the action.

The officials judged it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," the victor stated in the ringside as he was met by negative reactions from the crowd.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an epic battle with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, 31, merited the decision but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Slow Affair

Buatsi's progress has slowed in recent years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of British boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He started carefully, with neither fighter ready to take risks in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a protective stance to barely take the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down various instances during clinches.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still seems difficult.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to capture the continental championship.

The stadium fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as ten bells tolled in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

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

The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. Arthur was knocked down by a powerful punch directly to the face in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, heavy swelling appearing under his orbital area as the duo landed punishing blows.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over 12 rounds.

Arthur edged the result with official scores of draw, close margin and wider gap, but the two athletes were persistent and courageous, everything their hero Hatton embodied.