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British light heavyweight Joshua Buatsi earned a win yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a decision win over Zach Parker in the Manchester arena.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level likely gained him a split decision in a competitive 10-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger landed significant shots, delivering effective clean blows in a contest where the styles didn't complement each other, with constant grabbing marring the contest.

The scoring judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the final judge a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest showing but how do champions respond? They succeed," 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 memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to secure a 20th pro success.

Various analysts felt Parker, thirty-one, deserved the victory but the contender suffered the second setback of his 28-fight career.

The Champion Claims Triumph in Uneventful Encounter

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

Previously predicted as the next star of UK boxing, he now finds himself trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what appears to be a ultimate opportunity - under recent support.

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

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after suffering a hand injury mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at light-heavyweight.

By the halfway stage, Parker had stayed in contention, causing problems for the favorite, who operated with a tight guard to barely take the better rounds.

The spectators' acceptance decreased amid frequent holding, with Parker falling to the floor several times during clinches.

The underdog ended stronger, but multiple periods were hard to judge. However, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just a single round.

Buatsi progresses, but with the presence of heavy hitter Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol ruling the division, the road to world glory - based on this performance - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Tribute Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Lyndon Arthur defeated Rea by split-decision in a outstanding all-Manchester battle to capture the continental championship.

The venue became quiet for a deeply poignant tribute before the fight as ten bells sounded in remembrance of local hero Hatton, who passed away 46 years old in recently.

It was the first major televised match card in the location since Hatton's death. As the concluding sound faded, the stillness became a shout of "only one Ricky Hatton".

The action within the ring equaled the sentiment. Arthur was floored by a powerful punch squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, rising shakily to his position on the referee's count.

But the Manchester United-red equipment of the fighter soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was damaged quickly, significant bruising forming under his orbital area as the duo landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, landed power punches but the champion, thirty-four, matched the intensity with effective uppercuts as the pace rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur edged the decision with official scores of draw, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were persistent and brave, everything their hero Hatton represented.