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UK light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi made a winning yet unimpressive beginning to life under fresh promotional backing with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic bronze medallist's activity level seemingly secured him a judges' verdict in a competitive ten-round bout at the boxing arena.

But the challenger had his moments, landing some telling clean blows in a contest where the approaches failed to mesh, with frequent clinching marring the action.

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

"It wasn't my greatest display but what do champions do? They succeed," the victor said in the arena as he was met by disapproval from the spectators.

The British fighter bounced back after his maiden career setback - an memorable fight with his previous opponent in February - to claim a twentieth professional win.

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

The Champion Secures Win in Slow Encounter

Buatsi's progress has plateaued in recent years through contract problems and long spells of inactivity.

Previously predicted as the rising talent of British boxing, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - maybe in what seems like a last chance - under new promotional backing.

He opened tentatively, with neither fighter prepared to overcommit in a calculated initial rounds.

Parker, whose single earlier setback came at super middleweight against his former opponent in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was competing in only his second fight at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had stayed in contention, making life awkward for Buatsi, who utilized a solid defense to barely take the better stanzas.

The audience's tolerance decreased during constant clinching, with the challenger falling to the floor various instances during close exchanges.

Parker ended stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion the boxing analyst - commentating on the broadcast network - had it particularly wide for the challenger, giving Buatsi just one round.

The victor progresses, but with the likes of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Russian champion Bivol leading the category, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Ricky Hatton Memorial Inspires All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur defeated Rea by close verdict in a excellent local rivalry battle to win the continental title.

The arena fell silent for a deeply poignant homage prior to the bout as a bell ceremony rang in memory of the city's native Ricky Hatton, who died at age 46 in September.

It was the first major televised match card in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound disappeared, the stillness gave way to a chant of "there's just one Hatton".

The competition during the bout matched the feeling. The eventual winner was sent to the canvas by a significant blow squarely on the jaw in the early round, standing uncertainly to his footing on the count of eight.

But the traditional red attire of Arthur soon came forward again. From the other corner, Rea - in rival City blue - was injured soon, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the pair traded hard punches.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but the champion, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with powerful upward punches as the action rarely dropped over the full distance.

Arthur barely secured the result with official scores of 114-114, close margin and clearer margin, but the two athletes were relentless and full of heart, all the qualities their hero the legend embodied.