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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet underwhelming beginning to his career under recent management with a unanimous decision over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a competitive 10-round contest at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling individual punches in a contest where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the contest.

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

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what do champions do? They succeed," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with boos from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a 20th pro success.

Various analysts thought the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the win but the British boxer endured the second setback of his 28-match career.

The Champion Claims Win in Dull Encounter

His career development has stalled in the past few years through contract problems and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what appears to be a last chance - under recent support.

He started carefully, with both competitors ready to be aggressive 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 in the contest, was making just his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a protective stance to narrowly win the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas several times during close exchanges.

Parker finished the stronger, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, scoring for Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Motivates All-Manchester Battle

In the secondary fight, Lyndon Arthur overcame Bradley Rea by split-decision in a excellent Manchester vs Manchester contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The stadium became quiet for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as a bell ceremony tolled in honor of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in September.

It was the premier televised fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the silence gave way to a shout of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The competition within the ring reflected the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon advanced again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was marked up soon, noticeable damage developing under his face as the duo exchanged punishing blows.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the decision with judges scorecards of draw, 115-113 and 115-112, but the two athletes were determined and brave, exactly what their inspiration Hatton embodied.