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UK light heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet underwhelming debut to his career under recent management with a points victory over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate seemingly secured him a majority decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But Parker found success, connecting with powerful clean blows in a fight where the techniques didn't complement each other, with frequent clinching marring the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my best display but what do champions do? They win," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was met by disapproval from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his initial pro loss - an memorable fight with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Some ringside observers felt Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the win but the contender endured the second loss of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Secures Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent times through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a cagey early stages.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was participating in his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, creating difficulties for the favorite, who utilized a tight guard to barely take the more effective periods.

The crowd's patience decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during grappling.

The underdog finished the stronger, but several stanzas were hard to judge. Nevertheless, previous titleholder Carl Frampton - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still appears challenging.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Contest

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur beat Bradley Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to secure the European light-heavyweight title.

The stadium fell silent for a profoundly moving tribute prior to the bout as ten bells rang in remembrance of local hero Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in September.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet transitioned to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the sentiment. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, rising shakily to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of Arthur soon came forward again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in rival City blue - was injured soon, significant bruising appearing under his eye as the duo traded powerful shots.

Rea, 27, landed power punches but Arthur, thirty-four, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over twelve rounds.

The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton represented.