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British light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's punch output appeared to earn him a majority decision in a tight 10-round contest at the Manchester venue.

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

The scoring judges scored it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my finest display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi stated in the ring as he was faced disapproval from the spectators.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in last winter - to claim a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt the challenger, thirty-one, merited the victory but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second defeat of his 28-match career.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Affair

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the future of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under fresh management.

He started carefully, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to edge the better stanzas.

The crowd's patience wore thin amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during grappling.

The underdog ended stronger, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, scoring for Buatsi just one round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of hard hitter Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the journey to titles - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires Local Rivalry Contest

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Rea by divided decision in a excellent local rivalry battle to secure the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a deeply poignant memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells sounded in remembrance of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the city since Hatton's death. As the last bell faded, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook flush on the face in the second round, rising shakily to his feet on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his eye as the fighters landed powerful shots.

Rea, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the pace seldom decreased over the full distance.

Arthur narrowly won the verdict with judges scorecards of 114-114, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were relentless and brave, exactly what their idol Hatton embodied.