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

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

But the challenger landed significant shots, connecting with powerful individual punches in a fight where the techniques never quite clicked, with excessive holding marring the fight.

Two judges had it 96-94 in favor to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my best performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi stated in the arena as he was greeted with boos from the crowd.

The British fighter returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with Callum Smith in last winter - to earn a 20th career victory.

Various analysts believed the challenger, thirty-one, deserved the decision but the British boxer experienced the second defeat of his 28-bout career.

Buatsi Claims Triumph in Slow Match

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through promotional disputes and considerable time of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the future of UK boxing, he now stands trying to realize his potential - maybe in what feels like a last chance - under fresh management.

He opened tentatively, with both competitors willing to be aggressive in a calculated initial rounds.

The challenger, whose only previous defeat came at super middleweight against John Ryder in two years ago after damaging his hand in the contest, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the halfway stage, the underdog had made it competitive, causing problems for Buatsi, who worked behind a solid defense to narrowly win the more effective rounds.

The audience's tolerance wore thin amid constant clinching, with the challenger slipping to the canvas multiple occasions during clinches.

The underdog finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. However, former world champion the boxing analyst - providing analysis for Dazn - had it significantly in favor for Parker, giving Buatsi just a single round.

The victor advances, but with the presence of power puncher Benavidez, and Russian star Dmitry Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - on this evidence - still appears challenging.

Ricky Hatton Homage Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the supporting bout, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a terrific local rivalry contest to secure the European light heavyweight title.

The venue fell silent for a extremely emotional memorial ahead of the contest as ten bells tolled in memory of local hero Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast match card in the urban center since Hatton's death. As the final chime disappeared, the stillness transitioned to a chant of "there's only one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting during the bout reflected the feeling. The eventual winner was knocked down by a significant blow flush on the face in the early round, standing uncertainly to his position on the referee's count.

But the traditional red shorts of Arthur soon came forward again. Across the ring, the opponent - in rival City blue - was marked up soon, significant bruising appearing under his face as the pair landed powerful shots.

The challenger, twenty-seven, delivered effective strikes but Arthur, 34, matched the intensity with stinging uppercuts as the intensity rarely dropped over the full distance.

The victor edged the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but both fighters were relentless and brave, all the qualities their idol the legend stood for.