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UK light-heavyweight Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive debut to his career under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic medal winner's activity level appeared to earn him a judges' verdict in a close ten-round contest at the Manchester venue.

But Parker landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the approaches failed to mesh, with excessive holding spoiling the action.

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

"It wasn't my finest showing but what defines champions? They prevail," the victor said in the arena as he was met by boos from the spectators.

The British fighter got back to winning after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th career victory.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, thirty-one, should have been awarded the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Claims Win in Uneventful Match

The fighter's advancement has slowed in recent times through promotional disputes and extended periods of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to achieve expectations - perhaps in what feels like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He began cautiously, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose sole prior loss came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after breaking his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had kept it close, making life awkward for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the cleaner stanzas.

The crowd's patience diminished because of regular grabbing, with the challenger falling to the floor multiple occasions during clinches.

Parker closed well, but multiple periods were hard to judge. Although, ex-champion the boxing analyst - working with Dazn - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the likes of power puncher David Benavidez, and Russian champion Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the journey to titles - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Motivates Local Rivalry Fight

In the supporting bout, Lyndon Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific all-Manchester fight to secure the European light-heavyweight belt.

The arena grew hushed for a profoundly moving homage before the fight as a bell ceremony sounded in memory of the city's native Hatton, who succumbed aged 46 in September.

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

The action during the bout equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a powerful punch flush on the chin in the second round, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the Manchester United-red attire of the fighter soon advanced again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair exchanged punishing blows.

Rea, 27, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the intensity seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor barely secured the verdict with scoring tallies of even score, close margin and wider gap, but each competitor were determined and brave, all the qualities their inspiration Hatton embodied.