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UK light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under new promoters with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's work rate appeared to earn him a split decision in a tight 10-round fight at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, connecting with powerful single shots in a contest where the styles never quite clicked, with frequent clinching spoiling the contest.

The scoring judges judged it 96-94 for to the winner, with the final judge a even score.

"It wasn't my greatest showing but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was met by boos from the audience.

The Londoner got back to winning after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to earn a 20th career victory.

Several boxing experts believed Parker, 31, should have been awarded the victory but the contender experienced the second defeat of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Earns Triumph in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in recent years through management issues and long spells of lack of fights.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to fulfil that early promise - perhaps in what seems like a final roll of the dice - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to overcommit in a cagey opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at super-middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after suffering a hand injury in the contest, was making just his second fight at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, creating difficulties for Buatsi, who utilized a protective stance to edge the more effective periods.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during close exchanges.

Parker closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

The victor progresses, but with the caliber of heavy hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Contest

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

The stadium became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in last month.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell faded, the silence became a roar of "there's only one Hatton".

The fighting during the bout equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a significant blow flush on the chin in the initial stage, standing uncertainly to his feet on the eight count.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. On the opposite side, the opponent - in opposing blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo landed hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, 34, responded in kind with stinging uppercuts as the action rarely dropped over twelve rounds.

Arthur edged the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and full of heart, exactly what their hero the legend stood for.