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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet disappointing beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight ten-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, connecting with powerful individual punches in a contest where the approaches never quite clicked, with constant grabbing marring the fight.

Two judges scored it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best showing but how do champions respond? They win," the victor commented in the ringside as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts believed the challenger, 31, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter suffered the second setback of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Earns Triumph in Slow Encounter

The fighter's advancement has stalled in the past few years through promotional disputes and long spells of inactivity.

Once tipped as the rising talent of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - possibly in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after breaking his hand during the bout, was making just his second fight at light heavyweight.

By the fight's midpoint, Parker had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during clinches.

The underdog closed well, but multiple periods were challenging to assess. Nevertheless, former world champion the boxing analyst - commentating on Dazn - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

The victor moves on, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol leading the category, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Homage Motivates Manchester Derby Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight championship.

The arena fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in honor of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away at age 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the location since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound faded, the quiet transitioned to a shout of "only one Hatton".

The competition during the bout equaled the feeling. Arthur was floored by a significant blow directly to the jaw in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his footing on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his orbital area as the duo traded punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, 34, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity hardly diminished over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the result with judges scorecards of even score, 115-113 and clearer margin, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, everything their inspiration Hatton embodied.