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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive debut to his career under recent management with a decision win over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate likely gained him a judges' verdict in a close 10-round fight at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with constant grabbing disrupting the contest.

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

"It wasn't my finest performance but what do champions do? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ring as he was greeted with negative reactions from the audience.

The British fighter bounced back after his first professional defeat - an thrilling contest with Callum Smith in February - to earn a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed the challenger, 31, deserved the decision but the Derbyshire fighter endured the second setback of his 28-bout professional journey.

The Champion Claims Victory in Slow Affair

His career development has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and extended periods of lack of fights.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now finds himself trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a final roll of the dice - under recent support.

He began cautiously, with neither fighter willing to be aggressive in a tentative opening few rounds.

The challenger, whose single earlier setback came at the lower weight class against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second bout at light heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for the favorite, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance diminished amid constant clinching, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Although, previous titleholder the boxing analyst - providing analysis for the broadcast network - had it strongly leaning for Parker, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi moves on, but with the presence of power puncher David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still appears challenging.

Hatton Homage Motivates All-Manchester Contest

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Bradley Rea by close verdict in a terrific Manchester vs Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight belt.

The arena became quiet for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who passed away aged 46 in last month.

It was the premier televised boxing event in the location since the passing of Hatton. As the last bell disappeared, the quiet gave way to a shout of "there's just one Hatton".

The action inside the ropes equaled the feeling. The eventual winner was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the early round, getting up unsteadily to his position on the count of eight.

But the traditional red shorts of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. From the other corner, the opponent - in competitive blue - was damaged soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair landed punishing blows.

The challenger, 27, connected with strong blows but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the action seldom decreased over the full distance.

The victor edged the decision with scoring tallies of draw, narrow lead and 115-112, but each competitor were persistent and full of heart, all the qualities their idol Hatton embodied.