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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's punch output likely gained him a majority decision in a competitive 10-round fight at the Co-op Live Arena.

But the challenger had his moments, delivering effective individual punches in a contest where the styles failed to mesh, with frequent clinching disrupting the fight.

The officials scored it 96-94 to Buatsi, with the remaining official a 95-95 draw.

"It wasn't my greatest performance but what defines champions? They win," Buatsi said in the arena as he was faced negative reactions from the audience.

The Londoner bounced back after his initial pro loss - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in last winter - to earn a twentieth professional win.

Various analysts thought Parker, thirty-one, merited the win but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second loss of his 28-match career.

Buatsi Claims Win in Uneventful Encounter

His career development has stalled in recent times through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the next star of British boxing, he now is positioned trying to achieve expectations - possibly in what feels like a ultimate opportunity - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors prepared to overcommit in a tentative initial rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand during the bout, was making just his second appearance at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had kept it close, making life awkward for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to barely take the better rounds.

The audience's tolerance decreased during regular grabbing, with Parker going down multiple occasions during close exchanges.

The underdog closed well, but several stanzas were difficult to score. Although, former world champion Carl Frampton - working with the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for Parker, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi moves on, but with the caliber of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Bivol dominating the weight class, the path to championship success - judging by this showing - still seems difficult.

Hatton Homage Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur overcame Rea by split-decision in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester contest to win the European light heavyweight belt.

The venue fell silent for a profoundly moving homage ahead of the contest as ten bells rang in memory of Manchester's own Hatton, who died 46 years old in last month.

It was the initial significant broadcast fight night in the city since Hatton's passing. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The action during the bout reflected the emotion. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red equipment of the fighter soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the duo traded hard punches.

The challenger, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, responded in kind with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the result with judges scorecards of even score, narrow lead and wider gap, but the two athletes were relentless and courageous, exactly what their idol Hatton stood for.