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British light-heavyweight Joshua Buatsi secured a victory yet unimpressive start to life under recent management with a unanimous decision over Parker in Manchester.

The Olympic medal winner's work rate appeared to earn him a majority decision in a competitive ten-round bout at the Manchester venue.

But Parker had his moments, delivering effective clean blows in a match where the techniques didn't complement each other, with excessive holding marring the fight.

The officials judged it 96-94 for to Buatsi, with the third a 95-95.

"It wasn't my finest performance but what defines champions? They prevail," Buatsi said in the ringside as he was greeted with disapproval from the audience.

The Londoner returned to winning ways after his initial pro loss - an epic battle with his previous opponent in February - to claim a 20th pro success.

Some ringside observers believed Parker, 31, merited the win but the contender suffered the second loss of his 28-match professional journey.

The Champion Secures Victory in Dull Match

The fighter's advancement has plateaued in the past few years through management issues and long spells of inactivity.

Earlier forecast as the rising talent of the British fight scene, he now stands trying to fulfil that early promise - possibly in what seems like a ultimate opportunity - under new promotional backing.

He started carefully, with the two boxers ready to take risks in a tentative early stages.

Parker, whose only previous defeat came at super-middleweight against John Ryder in 2022 after damaging his hand mid-fight, was making just his second appearance at the higher weight class.

By the middle rounds, Parker had made it competitive, making life awkward for the favorite, who worked behind a tight guard to barely take the cleaner periods.

The crowd's patience decreased because of constant clinching, with the challenger going down several times during grappling.

Parker finished the stronger, but many rounds were difficult to score. Nevertheless, ex-champion Carl Frampton - commentating on the broadcast network - had it significantly in favor for the challenger, awarding Buatsi just only one stanza.

Buatsi progresses, but with the caliber of hard hitter David Benavidez, and Eastern European fighter Dmitry Bivol dominating the weight class, the road to world glory - judging by this showing - still looks steep.

Hatton Tribute Fuels All-Manchester Battle

In the co-main event, Arthur beat Bradley Rea by divided decision in a excellent all-Manchester battle to capture the European light heavyweight title.

The arena grew hushed for a extremely emotional homage prior to the bout as 10 bells rang in memory of local hero Ricky Hatton, who died aged 46 in recently.

It was the initial significant broadcast boxing event in the urban center since the passing of Hatton. As the concluding sound ended, the quiet became a roar of "there's just one Ricky Hatton".

The fighting inside the ropes matched the emotion. The eventual winner was knocked down by a left hook squarely on the jaw in the initial stage, getting up unsteadily to his feet on the count of eight.

But the red-colored attire of Arthur soon pressed ahead again. Across the ring, Rea - in competitive blue - was damaged early, noticeable damage developing under his orbital area as the fighters landed punishing blows.

Rea, twenty-seven, connected with strong blows but Arthur, thirty-four, fought fire with fire with stinging uppercuts as the intensity seldom decreased over 12 rounds.

The victor edged the result with judges scorecards of draw, close margin and 115-112, but each competitor were determined and full of heart, exactly what their inspiration the legend stood for.